Off-season? Not a chance! Traveling in the fall is becoming increasingly popular. While the heat, extreme weather, and overcrowded vacation spots that characterize the traditional summer season are less appealing to many travelers, fall offers a whole new set of possibilities.
According to the 2026 Booking.com Travel & Sustainability Report, 74 percent of respondents worldwide now consider extreme weather events when planning their vacations. Forty-two percent prefer to travel outside of peak season, 43 percent aim to avoid overcrowded destinations, and 25 percent actively seek out cooler destinations.
Plus, some experiences can only be enjoyed at this time of year. Törggelen, the apple harvest, and the Almabtrieb all have their own specific seasons. That’s why we added ten ideas from our blog archive to the Green Pearls® Fall Bucket List 2026.
How is a fall vacation related to sustainability?
As part of our fall ideas, we recommend Green Pearls® partners, who implement a wide variety of initiatives, including local sourcing, resource efficiency, and a commitment to local nature and culture. To learn more about each of these, you can visit the respective establishments.
10 travel ideas and experiences to add to your fall bucket list
#1 Törggelen in South Tyrol
Young wine, chestnuts, South Tyrolean specialties, and hikes through the autumn landscape. The Törggele season, considered the “fifth season” in South Tyrol, runs from early October to late November. Great places to begin your Törggele experience are our Green Pearls® partners: the APIPURA hotel rinner, the Hotel Weihrerhof, the ADLER Ritten on the Ritten Plateau, and My Arbor near Brixen.
→ 9 Reasons to Experience Törggelen in South Tyrol and Tips for Where to Stay
#2 A golden October on the Moselle
When the vineyards along the Moselle turn yellow, orange, and red, you can experience the “Golden October” atmosphere without having to fly to North America. In Bernkastel-Kues, the Lifestyle Resort Zum Kurfürsten offers an autumn getaway that combines wellness with its own TCM center.
→ Golden Autumn on the Moselle
#3 Bike Tours in the Fall
Milder temperatures make fall an ideal time for longer bike tours. Accommodations that offer bike rentals or special amenities for cyclists are particularly convenient. The Hotel Luise in Erlangen and the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA in Bad Herrenalb, for example, have been certified as “Bett+Bike” establishments by the ADFC.
→ Bicycle Vacations: Tips and Accommodations for Your Cycling Trip
#4 Fall vacation with kids
With October just around the corner, fall break is quickly approaching. On our blog, we’re featuring nine accommodations for a fall vacation with kids, including the APIPURA hotel rinner on the Ritten. With an apiary, a bee nature trail, a playground, a cable car, and the historic Ritten Railway, there’s plenty for families to discover around this extraordinary hotel. With the RittenCard, you can enjoy free use of public transportation and the Ritten cable car, among other benefits.
→ Fall Break with Kids: 9 Accommodations and Vacation Ideas
#5 Apple harvest on Lake Constance
Late summer and fall are apple-picking season at Lake Constance. One such place is the Naturresort Gerbehof, located near Friedrichshafen. Incidentally, the apples are grown in the resort’s own orchard according to Bioland guidelines, and you can sample them at the hotel’s breakfast buffet. An autumn vacation like this is a great way to combine a family getaway with exploring regional foods, especially when traveling with children. (Please note: The hotel offers a special children’s program during fall break and is adults-only outside of school vacation periods.)
#6 Watch the fall bird migration
In the fall, numerous bird species migrate south. Throughout October, visitors to the Canary Islands can observe resting waterfowl, herons, and seabirds, which stop here en route to their wintering grounds south of the Sahara from their European breeding grounds. Tenerife has a designated observation area with informational signs near the OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel. However, there are also good birdwatching spots in Germany.
→ Birdwatching: The Best Places to See Fall Migration in Germany
#7 Southern romance
Do you want to soak up some warmth one last time before winter arrives? In Borgomaro, Liguria, the Relais del Maro—an Albergo Diffuso—has spread its rooms throughout restored buildings in the heart of the historic village center. If you’d like to head even further south, you’ll also find suggestions for Thailand and the Seychelles in our article. But keep in mind: The farther you go, the longer you should stay!
→ Escape the Fall: Five Romantic Southern Hotels for Your Couple’s Getaway
#8 Almabtrieb in Tyrol
In September, the animals return from the Tyrolean alpine pastures to the valley. The Almabtrieb, a traditional cattle drive, is celebrated in many places, including Pfunds. The Summit Lodges Pfunds are an ideal place to stay if you want to attend this event and spend a few days in the mountains.
→ Fall in Tyrol: Experience the Almabtrieb in Pfunds
#9 To Italy or Spain for the olive harvest
Depending on the region and variety, the olive harvest season begins in the fall. At ADLER Sicilia, the olive trees grow on the property itself. During guided tours, you can learn more about the cultivation and harvesting process, as well as the products. For more destinations for a culinary trip, check out our Olive Harvest Guide.
→ A Culinary Journey to the Olive Harvest in Italy and Spain
#10 Fall Detox
Fall is also a great time for a wellness getaway. The Klosterhof — Alpine Hideaway & Spa, for example, offers a three-day “Deep Mental Detox” getaway. It includes stress relief and singing bowl massages, as well as brine and salt treatments at the Alpen Soledom in Bad Reichenhall.
→ Detox Oases for the Body and Mind: Getaway During the Cold Season
What’s on your fall bucket list?
Törggelen or olive harvesting? A bike tour or a spa getaway? A family vacation or another trip south with your significant other? Fall has one major advantage: you don’t have to treat it like an extension of summer. Many of its best travel experiences are only available right now.
